Ruth Vera Douglas

Ruth Vera (Dunlap) Douglas went home to be with the Lord peacefully on January 14, 2025, at the age of 95. She passed away in her apartment about 15 minutes after having supper with several of her friends. She was a strong, independent woman until the end.

She was born in a small house on Colorado Street in Boise, Idaho, on September 10, 1929. She often remarked that the stock market crash and the ensuing Great Depression occurred just a month after her birth. As a child of the Depression era, she learned the importance of frugality in every circumstance.

Ruth often remarked that the most significant event in her life was meeting and marrying Richard Douglas. Ruth graduated from Eugene Bible College, then moved to Pasadena, California, and became the Registrar and English teacher at the California Open Bible Institute. There, she needed special permission to date one of the students, Dick Douglas, who had just returned from serving in the Army during World War II. Their relationship blossomed, and they married in Pasadena on November 7, 1953.

Her role as a pastor’s wife was a calling she embraced wholeheartedly, relishing each moment spent welcoming newcomers, ensuring they felt appreciated, and leading children’s classes. Hospitality was her innate talent; she enjoyed hosting dinner gatherings and providing support and encouragement to those who needed it. For more than 50 years, they dedicated their lives to serving as pastors in:

• Seattle, Washington, Northgate Church of the Open Bible, from 1954-1959

• Empire, Oregon, Open Bible Church, from 1959-1960

• Orangevale, California, Church of the Open Bible, from 1960-1964

• Beaverton, Oregon, Sunset Chapel, from 1964-1966

• Harden, Montana, Church of the Open Bible, from 1966-1971

• Colorado Springs, Colorado, Christian Center Church of the Open Bible, from 1971-1987

• Mountain Plains Region, Regional Superintendent, from 1987-1995

• Boise, Idaho, Resurrection Fellowship, from 1996-2001

They established five of those churches, building them from the ground up and nurturing them into vibrant congregations.

Throughout her life, she maintained a close relationship with her Lord. Prayer and time in God’s word were vital to her daily routine. She shared this perspective with her children, grandchildren, and everyone who knew her. Her favorite verse was Romans 8:28, which she used to encourage others, reminding them that God was working even the worst situations together for good.

Ruth was preceded in death by most of her close friends, four siblings, and her husband of 62 years, D. Richard Douglas. She is survived by her two children, Larry (Kathy) Douglas of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Susan Marlene (David) Naftz, of Montana City, Montana, She also leaves five grandchildren: Christopher (Molly) Douglas, Ashley (Jared) Drake, Jonathan Douglas, Doug (Caitlin) Naftz, Kara (Evan) Karpus and thirteen great-grandchildren, Elijah Simmons, Oliver Douglas, Elliot Douglas, Eden Drake, Adalee Drake, Alana Drake, Eila Drake, Kaiden Douglas, Kalina Douglas, Keegan Douglas, Addie Naftz, Luke Naftz, and Stephen Karpus.